A marquee opener
On November 21, 2026, the Duke men’s basketball team will step onto the court at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, to face Washington State in the inaugural Acrisure Series game. It will be the first time the two programs meet in basketball, setting the stage for a high‑profile start to the 2026‑27 season.
Coached by Jon Scheyer, Duke enters the season with a stellar two‑year record of 70 wins and just seven losses, a résumé that includes 32 weeks inside the Associated Press top five and six weeks at No. 1. The Blue Devils’ recent ascent reflects a blend of experienced leadership and elite recruiting.
A loaded roster
The returning core features five players from last year’s squad, including four of the team’s top six scorers: Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba II and Dame Sarr. Together they accounted for 1,131 points, 533 rebounds and 311 assists in the previous campaign, providing a solid foundation for Scheyer’s second season.
Their experience should help Duke maintain its momentum as it prepares for a demanding non‑conference schedule that includes matchups against Michigan State, Illinois, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan and Gonzaga.
A challenging non‑conference slate
Duke’s schedule is stacked with opponents that were at least a No. 3 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and ranked within the top 20 of the final AP poll. The slate promises a rigorous test before conference play, underscoring the Blue Devils’ ambition to finish the season among the nation’s elite.